Harry Potter HD Discs To Arrive Dec. 11

9/18/2007 09:35:00 AM Eastern

By: by Greg Tarr

Burbank, Calif. — Warner Home Video will release the first five “Harry Potter” movies in the high-definition Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD formats on Dec. 11, in addition to a limited-edition gift set featuring the movies and interactive extras in a choice of standard DVD, high-definition HD DVD or Blu-ray Disc formats.

The announcement includes the new release of the fifth installment of the series -- "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix." That release will be offered in two standard DVD versions -- widescreen and full-screen single-disc versions for a $28.98 suggested retail each, and two-disc special editions priced at $35.99 each. HD DVD combo and Blu-ray Disc versions will sell for $35.99 each.

The earlier movies in the series will also be released for the first time individually in HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc formats at suggested retail prices of $29.99 each.

Special limited-time gift sets packaging all five movies and extra content plus two additional bonus discs of extra material will also be offered.

The HD DVD and Blu-ray gift sets will sell for $149.99; while the 12-disc standard-definition DVD edition will be priced at $119.97.

The gift sets will include a separate disc containing “Hogwarts Challenge,” an interactive DVD gaming experience with 14 adventure games based on the first three Harry Potter films, with clips from films 4-5.

A second bonus disc in the DVD set includes more than three hours of all-new to DVD extra content from all five films.

Also included with the gift set are collectible premiums created especially for the promotion — the Harry Potter Bookmark Collection, with five unique souvenir metal bookmarks, and four different packs of Harry Potter trading cards, from each of the first four films.

The HD DVD discs will include cast members in an In Movie Experience and Web-enabled features that allow viewers to assemble movie clips into a montage, and download ringtones for mobile phones.